Automated Tax Extension Worklist
Every morning during tax season, WebRun opens Drake Tax to find returns that are not yet complete and have an original deadline within ten days, logs each one in a Google Sheets extension worklist, and posts a Slack alert so the team knows which extensions need to be filed today.
How do I build an automated tax extension worklist from Drake Tax?
WebRun opens Drake Tax every morning and finds all incomplete returns with an original deadline in the next ten days, builds a clean extension worklist in Google Sheets, and posts a Slack alert so your team knows exactly which extensions need filing today, before any deadline passes.
- Returns needing an extension are flagged ten days before the deadline, not the night before
- Already-filed extensions are marked automatically so the team avoids duplicate filings
- The team reviews one clean Slack list each morning instead of manually scanning Drake Tax
Built for CPA firms · tax preparers · enrolled agents · Drake Tax users
What does WebRun do on every run?
The exact actions WebRun takes, in order - in plain language, so you can adjust anything.
-
WebRun signs in and gets to work
Opens
www.drakesoftware.comin a real browser with your saved login - no setup, no API keys. -
1
Drake Tax - identify returns needing an extension
drakesoftware.com
WebRun opens Drake Tax to identify returns needing an extension. - Open Drake Tax and navigate to the return manager
- Filter to returns with an original due date within the next ten days whose status is not complete or e-filed
- Check whether an extension has already been filed for each return
- Capture the client name, return type, original due date, and extension status
Done when Every return needing an extension is listed with its client, type, due date, and whether an extension has already been submitted.
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2
Google Sheets - build the extension worklist
google.com
WebRun opens Google Sheets to build the extension worklist. - Open the extension worklist sheet
- Append or update rows for each return identified in Drake Tax
- Mark returns where an extension has already been filed to avoid duplicate work
- Sort by original due date, soonest first
Done when The extension worklist in Google Sheets is current and sorted by urgency.
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3
Slack - alert the team to act today
slack.com
WebRun opens Slack to alert the team to act today. - Post an extension worklist alert to the team Slack channel
- List returns still needing an extension filed, sorted by due date
- Include a link to the Google Sheet for full details and tracking
Done when The team has a Slack alert with today's extension worklist.
How is each run configured?
Secure by default
Connect once, stays signed in
WebRun signs in once and keeps each session in a persistent environment, so every run picks up right where it left off.
Every action is checked against this policy before it runs.
Questions, answered
Will it file the extension on its own?
No. WebRun identifies which returns need an extension and builds the worklist, but the preparer reviews the Slack alert and Google Sheet and manually files each extension in Drake Tax. Filing is never done without human review.
Does it catch returns where an extension was already filed?
Yes. It checks each return's extension status in Drake Tax and marks already-filed returns in the Google Sheet so the team does not duplicate work or file a second extension by mistake.
How early should we start running this before tax season deadlines?
Running it daily starting ten days before key deadlines like April 15 or October 15 gives the team enough runway to act. You can adjust the look-ahead window in the workflow settings to match your firm's process.
Related templates
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